Pharmacy Technician in Minnesota
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MN
How to Become a Pharmacy Technician in Minnesota
To become a pharmacy technician in Minnesota, you must register with the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy. Key steps include being at least 18 years old, possessing a high school diploma or GED, and completing a board-approved training program within 12 months of registration. While national certification exams like the PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) are not strictly required for state registration, passing one of these exams can fulfill the training program requirement. There is an application fee of $60, and registration must be renewed annually with 20 hours of continuing education required every two years.
Pharmacy Technician Requirements in Minnesota
| Detail | Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Minnesota Board of Pharmacy |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | High school diploma or GED and completion of a board-approved training program within 12 months of registration. Approved programs include PTCB or NHA certification, ASHP-accredited programs, employer-based programs (minimum 240 hours in one year with theoretical and practical instruction), or Board-approved vocational/technical institution programs. |
| Exam | PTCB (PTCE) or NHA (ExCPT) are accepted as a form of approved training, but national certification is not explicitly required for state registration. ($129) |
| Application Fee | $60 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 20.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age of 18. Proof of high school graduation or equivalent is required. Technicians must complete a board-approved training program within 12 months of receiving their registration number. Continuing education of 20 hours is required every two years, to be reported by July 31st of every odd-numbered year. National certification (PTCB or NHA) can satisfy the training requirement but is not mandatory for state registration. Criminal background checks are not required for pharmacy technicians. |
Source: Minnesota Board of Pharmacy
Pharmacy Technician Salary in Minnesota
The median pharmacy technician salary in Minnesota is $48,560 per year, which is 11.7% above the national median of $43,460.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $37,780 |
| 25th | $40,180 |
| 50th (median) | $48,560 |
| 75th | $51,540 |
| 90th (experienced) | $59,970 |
Minnesota employs approximately 7,110 pharmacy technicians.
Pharmacy Technician Job Outlook
AI Impact on Pharmacy Technicians
Low AI Exposure (Score: 0.01/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Pharmacy Technician in Minnesota Worth It?
Factors to consider: Minnesota's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, strong job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.